San Gorgonio

On Wednesday I made an attempt at San Gorgonio via the
Vivian Creek Trail. I mentioned to my wife about 9 the night before that
something didn't feel right. On arriving at the trailhead at 7 am - with
several inches of snow on the ground - I noticed a large number of San
Bernardino sheriff and San Gorgonio SAR vehicles. A short distance up
the trail I met one group of SARs who told me they had a sick hiker at
High Camp who they had been trying to get to since 9 at night. Supposedly
he had altitude sickness - I thought it strange that altitude sickness
at 9200' warranted a full-blown evacuation, but did consider it had snowed
that night.The first several miles through the
snow were well packed with the boots and snowshoes of a great many rescuers.
I wore Sorel boots and instep crampons, the latter more for security than
need. During this time I saw a small helicopter go into High Creek, returning
a short time later, apparently with the victim. Beyond Halfway Camp the
tracks became fewer and the snow deeper and lighter. Here I switched to
my homemade PVC & vinyl snowshoes. In some places the tracks went
straight up hills with several feet of powder. In others the tracks veered
from what I considered the proper route and I had to make my own tracks.
On the ridge between Halfway and High Camps, I heard another chopper coming
in. It circled me several times, deafening. Apparently he was there to
pick up a SAR crew and its equipment down the hill from where I was. I
continued on, making High Camp around 12:30. Here I stopped for lunch.
As I had set my turnaround time at 2pm because of snow conditions, I realized
I would not make the peak until near 3:30, which would give me no cushion
in case of trouble, AND I would have to make my own route the rest of
the way up. I therefore turned around, but first calling on the PARC repeater
for a phone call to my wife to assure her I was ok and was NOT the guy
airlifted out in case she heard about it on the news. Paul WN6K was kind
enough to make the call. Although I didn't make the peak, the walk was
delightful. Fresh snow covered almost everything, and the creeks flowed
gently at each of the trail camps. The return trip went much easier, and
the snow was melting fast. Several miles were through Sierra Cement (think
of a Slurpee). Below Vivian Camp the snow was mostly melted off the trail,
unfortunate as that stretch is very steep and rocky. For those interested
in conditions on the mountain, the San Gorgonio Volunteer Association
has an excellent web page at www.sgwa.org. For trail conditions check
3 areas: Message Board, Trail Conditions, and Wilderness Journal. Watch
for changing conditions, and be prepared. Your mileage may vary.